Source Puts Job Loss At MetLife In Bloomfield At 650

BLOOMFIELD — — MetLife will cut about 650 jobs in Bloomfield, leaving about 1,300 workers at that office as the nation's largest life insurer consolidates offices from throughout the country, a source familiar with the arrangement said Friday.

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., the nation's largest life insurer, acknowledged last month that it was looking to consolidate offices, but it was not until Thursday that it announced that it was creating two campuses in Charlotte and Cary, N.C., for a total investment of $125.5 million — and that at least some Bloomfield jobs would move there.

MetLife declined to comment Thursday and Friday on the number jobs to be cut in Bloomfield.

It said Friday, however, that although Connecticut employees could apply for new jobs in North Carolina, only some critical managers would be asked to relocate.

"We don't know how many employees will be going to North Carolina from Connecticut or from any other impacted MetLife location for that matter," said MetLife spokesman John Calagna.

"Some critical managers will be asked to relocate," he said. "They can, of course, decide not to do so. All other impacted employees can apply for a position in North Carolina, or can apply for any other open MetLife position that they are qualified for."

He also pointed out, "This is a multiyear plan and will take until 2015 until all 2,600 positions in North Carolina will be created and filled."

The governor, who has stressed his commitment to bring insurance and financial service jobs to the state as part of his job-growth strategy, expressed disappointment at the news.

"MetLife has been — and will continue to be — an important part of Connecticut's insurance landscape," Juliet Manalan, a spokeswoman for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, said in a written statement. "While we are disappointed in MetLife's decision to reduce its workforce here, we will continue to work diligently with the company to retain jobs and maintain its long-term presence in Connecticut."

"Our insurance sector is a strong and vital part of Connecticut's economy — we will fight to keep every single job in Connecticut, and create new ones."